Daldal: Main story

Chapter 90

"Right now...can't...! This... Bastard!"

Outside, there was a commotion.

Uggh- Eun-oh emitted a groan, clutching his head as he struggled to sit up. Yet, the moment he rose, everything in front of him pinged with sound. A wave of nausea overwhelmed him, likely due to the aftermath of the sandpapering.

"Lies!"

The nature of the subsequent screams was unsettling. Though unsure whose voice it was, it resonated thunderously, vividly reaching even the innermost room. Yeoul, who had been staying by Eun-oh's side the entire time, blinked his ears and promptly stood up, unable to ignore the unmistakable disturbance.

In the midst of the undeniable uproar, Eun-oh awkwardly crawled outside. Yeoul followed suit. Amidst this, the shouting, accompanied by curses, persisted several times.

The source of the commotion that broke out was none other than a large yard.

"I knew it was you from the beginning, you damn bastard! Remember when you got caught stealing herbs in the wilderness before? If Kang-hee hadn't intervened, huh? I should be dead, but you dare not mend your ways and continue thieving!"

A burly man had a much smaller one by the collar, vigorously shaking him while scolding. It was a fight between servants.

"Did you steal Hongju's money too? There's no one else but you! Hand it over now!"

"It wasn't me. I swear it wasn't! Spare a living soul!"

"Where did this bastard slither in from!"

Thunk-!

The larger man struck the smaller one's face with a fist the size of a pot lid. The smaller man limply fell, rolling on the ground. As if that wasn't enough, the larger man, seemingly unsatisfied, attempted a kick. Just then, Kang-hee rushed in, blocking his path and shouted,

"Stop this! What on earth is this behavior? Even if the young master isn't around, resorting to violence is unacceptable!"

"Kang-hee, step aside! I'm settling the score with this thief today!"

"A thief? What did you lose?"

"That's right! The gold ring I bought for my mother is mysteriously gone. Do you think it just slipped off on its own? Who stole it? It's definitely him!"

"I'm innocent. I didn't do it!"

"Don't lie, you damn bastard!"

The larger man, highly agitated, charged again. Kang-hee managed to hold him back.

"Calm down or what do you intend to do?"

"Whether he's guilty or not will be revealed when we search him. Kang-hee, this whole mess is probably your fault. A bastard like him should have been reported to the young master from the start, and his limbs should have been chopped off for his filthy habits!"

Stung by the harsh accusations of the larger man, Eun-oh clenched his wrist. Filthy habits? It was a phrase he'd heard before, and it pricked at him needlessly.

"Dongseok Hyung, I didn't do it. I truly didn't, Kang-hee, I swear it wasn't me. Not this time."

"Not guilty? Then prove it!"

"Hyung! How can I prove I didn't do something? I can't produce what I don't have... Ah, ah! Search my body and the room thoroughly. Nothing will come out, I assure you."

"Ah-ha! So you're saying you've hidden it somewhere else?"

The larger man was like an impenetrable wall. Whatever the smaller man said, he wouldn't believe. The smaller man pounded his own chest, sobbing.

"No, I didn't. I really didn't."

Eun-oh couldn't shake the feeling that the smaller man was unfairly accused. Was he truly a thief feigning innocence?

"Yes, sir. Without evidence, such accusations are baseless. Please endure for now"

Kang-hee intervened again.

"What about my gold ring? Hongju's money!"

"We'll find them, sir. If someone did steal them, they must be somewhere around here. I'll search thoroughly and make sure to find them. Please wait a little longer."

Seemingly appeased by the assurance of a thorough search, the larger man unclenched his fist and took a step back.

"Fine. Kang-hee, I'll trust you and endure today. But if my gold ring isn't found by tomorrow, I'll report everything to the young master-from the stolen herbs last time to you pretending not to know. Got it?"

With that, the larger man, making a thumping sound, retreated into the quarters. As he disappeared, a murmur rose from the people gathered in the yard. Kang-hee, after dispersing the crowd forcibly, comforted the sobbing smaller man, speaking words of reassurance.

Eun-oh observed for a while before quietly returning to the inner room, taking Yeoul from underfoot.

"Scary, isn't it?"

Yesterday and today, the atmosphere felt ominous. Yeoul seemed to sense it, burying himself in Eun-oh's embrace. More than anything, Eun-oh worried about Kang-hee, who seemed to be getting entangled in various troubles.

"I hope the young master comes back soon."

Already the fourth day. Today, the absence of the young master's presence felt particularly pronounced to Eun-oh. Oddly, his feelings were truly peculiar. When the young master was around, he felt uneasy and uncomfortable, even a bit scared. Yet, in the absence, a sense of emptiness lingered.

"I miss you"